Round 23 Review – NPL Men’s NSW
Let’s check out the mini reviews from Round 23 of the National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW competition.
Manly United 0 v Hills United 2 at Cromer Park – Full Match Report and Highlights
A scintillatingly double from Japanese maestro Yu Okubo saw Hills United defeated Manly United 2-0 at Cromer Park on Friday evening.
Okubo mercilessly contributed to the victory as his well-placed 28th minute strike broke the deadlock and then secured his double in the 55th minute from close range that ended their dreaded ten-game away losing streak.
NWS Spirit FC 1 v Rockdale Ilinden 2 at Christie Park – Full Match Report and Highlights
Rockdale Ilinden FC recorded an epic 2-1 comeback win thanks to a late Blake Ricciuto winner against a dogged nine-man NWS Spirit FC side at Christie Park on Saturday night to keep its fight for the 2024 NPL Men’s NSW Premiership alive.
NWS Spirit FC had dreams of a upset win in the first half.
Defender Kyah Williams tumbled the ball home in the 24th minute to make it 1-0. The hosts then had Williams and Yannis Frerck see red and that was to be their downfall as the NPL Men’s NSW league leaders asserted its dominance with waves of attacks soon after.
Alec Urosevski made it 1-1 with his 26th of the season in the 56th minute with a world class finish then substitute Ricciuto completed the comeback with an 88th minute header that sent the traveling fans into raptures.
St George FC 2 v Western Sydney Wanderers 2 at Ilinden Sports Centre – Full Match Report and Highlights
Life under new manager Steve Karavatakis started off with a draw as St George Saints recorded a 2-2 draw against a young Western Sydney Wanderers outfit at the Ilinden Sports Centre on Saturday evening.
The Wanderers kicked off proceedings in great fashion as Ryley Hollingdale fired home directly from a free-kick from the edge of the area inside sixty seconds before St George responded through new recruit Jaden Casella, who made the move from Sydney Olympic during the transfer window, less than a minute later to level the tie.
Dallo Sandy fired the Wanderers back into the lead albeit through a deflection before Casella completed a brace of goals with yet another superlative free-kick after both had chances to win the match and both having a strike ruled out for offside.
St George City 1 v Sydney FC 2 at Penshurst Park – Full Match Report and Highlights
Sydney FC’s survival in the National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW competition took a turn for the better following a 2-1 victory over St George City at Penshurst Park on Saturday.
The home side was looking to maintain contact with the other teams in the running for a play-off place, while the young Sky Blues were hoping to secure the full three points and keep clear of the danger, which they did in the end thanks to a goal in each half.
In-form striker Mathias Macallister opened the scoring for the Sky Blues in the 9th minute before Jesse Photi equalised for the hosts in the 25th minute.
Wataru Kamijo scored what proved to be the winner midway through the second half that kept the Sky Blues at bay with its relegation fears while it was a blow for City who were hoping to sneak into the top six.
Sydney United 58 0 v Blacktown City 2 at Sydney United Sports Centre – Full Match Report and Highlights
Blacktown City have captured an exciting 2-0 win over Sydney United 58 at the Sydney United Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon to continue their fight for a top two spot.
Travis Major’s 26th minute tap-in, plus Mario Shabow’s 61st minute strike did enough to secure maximum points for Blacktown.
The visitors also impressively held on for what was their first clean sheet from their last four matches.
Wollongong Wolves 1 v Sydney Olympic 2 at WIN Stadium – Full Match Report and Highlights
Sydney Olympic stopped Wollongong Wolves’ excellent run in the NPL Men’s NSW with a late 2-1 win at WIN Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Roy O’Donovan gave the visitors the lead in the 73rd minute from the spot before Christopher McStay converted a penalty of his own to equalise for Wollongong in the 89th minute.
Right at the death, Oliver Puflett won the points for Olympic to keep their late finals charge going.
Central Coast Mariners 0 v Marconi Stallions 1 at Pluim Park – Full Match Report and Highlights
Marconi Stallions continue to close the NPL Mens NSW Premiership gap on Rockdale Illinden, galloping to a sturdy 1-0 victory over Central Coast Mariners at Pluim Park on Sunday afternoon.
While Central Coast came close to scoring on numerous attempts, the Stallions held firm as Franco Maya netted an incredible strike from range late in the first half, proving the difference as the visitor’s took home the three points in round 23.
APIA Leichhardt 3 v Sutherland Sharks 2 at Lambert Park – Full Match Report and Highlights
APIA Leichhardt have produced a stunning come-from-behind victory in the Match of the Round at Lambert Park, prevailing 3-2 against Sutherland Sharks to grab a vital three points.
The away side scored their goals in quick succession just before halftime, with a penalty from Mitch Stamatellis followed by a finish from Jay McGowan to give the Sharks a two-goal advantage heading into the sheds.
However, APIA responded with a bang, with hattrick-hero Jack Armson leading a stunning comeback to grab a crucial victory as the campaign draws closer to its conclusion.
